(Senior) Country Officer - Bulgaria Job #: req34898 Organization: IFC Sector: Operations Grade: GG Term Duration:ย 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Sofia,Bulgaria Required Language(s): English, Bulgarian Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 11/28/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
IFC Europe Department (CEU) is hiring a (Senior) Country Officer and core member of the World Bank Group joint country representation in Sofia, Bulgaria. The (Senior) Country Officer helps design and promote IFC strategy in Bulgaria, in coordination with IBRD and MIGA, leveraging the comparative advantage of each WBG institution, oversees and monitors its implementation, and ensures the development of a pipeline of innovative and impactful investment and advisory initiatives, with the aim to maximize IFCโs impact, role, and additionality in Bulgaria. The position reports to the World Bank Group Country Manager.
Duties and Accountabilities:
โข Develop and implement, in consultation with the Country Manager and with IFC Industry Teams, a strategy to open-up opportunities for private capital to enhance Bulgariaโs competitiveness and social inclusion and to deliver a low-carbon and more sustainable economy.
โข Build and maintain strong relationships with the Bulgarian business sector, the financial sector, bilateral and multilateral partners, industry associations, and country authorities.
โข Identify key engagements for IFC in Bulgaria with a particular focus on high impact and catalytic projects in priority areas such as digitalization, energy transition and green transport. Take accountability for client selection, ensuring the integrity of potential business partners.
โข Ensure duty of care for IFC permanent staff, consultants, and visiting missions in Bulgaria, and be accountable for the quality of services delivered to global and regional industry departments by IFCโs office in Sofia. Assist project teams in coordinating missions, including managing relationships with key clients and stakeholders and following up after meetings.
โข Provide business intelligence to enable investment teams to identify integrity issues, devise adequate investment structuring, and adequately manage portfolio projects and problem cases.
โข Develop excellent knowledge of the World Bank Group products and identify opportunities to strengthen solutions offered to clients by involving other parts of the World Bank Group. Ensure full alignment between IFC and World Bank Group strategies, projects, and products delivered to both public and private sector clients.
โข Prepare quality briefs in advance of Senior Management visits and meetings, outlining overall strategy and program, key points for attention, messages to convey, and background information in a concise and strategic manner.
โข Contribute to the preparation of concept notes for investment and advisory projects, board papers, and other documents as needed.
โข Represent and provide visibility for IFC including through participating as speaker in high profile events and conferences and organizing events on key areas for IFC thought leadership.
Selection Criteria
โข Master's degree, preferably in economics, finance, business administration, public policy, or a similar field and at least 8 (Country Officer) or at least 10 (Senior Country Officer) years of relevant experience such as a proven track record in the financial sector, business consulting or investment banking, in risk management, investment structuring, and client relationship management.
โข Excellent business judgment and ability to structure a broad range of financial instruments (debt and equity), including ESG-related instruments.
โข Proven client relationship skills and ability to focus on client needs effectively. Ability to interact directly and independently with key stakeholders and counterparts (clients as well as financial and technical partners).
โข Ability to tap into and leverage resources with expertise in sectors and industries, including risks, market dynamics, and regulatory structures. Able to read and anticipate shifts in market trends and the implications for IFCโs current and future business.
โข Extensive knowledge of Bulgaria, including politics, history, social dynamics, culture, economics, local markets, and regulatory framework.
โข Demonstrated success as a key influencer in bringing integrated solutions to concept review stage where there are significant challenges and competing interests.
โข Excellent critical thinking, analytical and presentation skills, and ability to work with or supervise the use of data utilizing standard office software Excel, Word, PowerPoint. Good analytical, financial analysis, integrity assessment, and business skills to screen project proposals.
โข Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, proven ability to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries, to build networks across IFC, to lead without formal authority in a matrix environment, including the ability to mentors, and coach others to achieve results.
โข Outstanding written, verbal communication and presentation skills in both English and Bulgarian are required.
โข Excellent organizational, administrative, and time management skills; strong ability to multitask and work under pressure, deliver under tight deadlines.
โข Strong personal commitment to the World Bank Group core values of impact, integrity, respect, teamwork, innovation.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Learn more about working at theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.